82 FR 37575 - Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific Insular Areas Other Than American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 154 (August 11, 2017)

Page Range		37575-37576
FR Document		2017-16988

NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for Pacific Insular Areas other than American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 154 (Friday, August 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37575-37576]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16988]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF518

Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific Insular Areas Other Than
American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; Western Pacific
Sustainable Fisheries Fund

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of agency decision.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP)
for Pacific Insular Areas other than American Samoa, Guam, and the
Northern Mariana Islands.

DATES: This agency decision is valid from August 4, 2017, through
August 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the MCP, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2017-0077, from the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0077, or from the
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, www.wpcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries,
NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-725-5171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act)
authorizes the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), and at the request and in
consultation with the Council, to negotiate and enter into a Pacific
Insular Area fishery agreement (PIAFA). A PIAFA would allow foreign
fishing within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to a
Pacific Insular Area other than American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern
Mariana Islands, that is, in the EEZ around the Pacific Remote Island
Areas (PRIA). The PRIA are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,
Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Island, Wake Island, and Palmyra
Atoll. Before entering into a PIAFA for the PRIA, the Council must
develop and submit to the Secretary a 3-year MCP that details the uses
for funds collected by the Secretary under the PIAFA. NMFS is the
designee of the Secretary for MCP review and approval.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires any payments received under a
PIAFA, and any funds or contributions received in support of
conservation and management objectives for the PRIA MCP, to be
deposited into the Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund (Fund)
for use by the Council. Additionally, amounts received by the Secretary
attributable to fines and penalties imposed under the Magnuson-Stevens
Act for violations by foreign vessels occurring in the EEZ off the PRIA
are deposited into the Fund for use by the Council. Section
204(e)(7)(C) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act also authorizes the Council to
use the Fund to meet conservation and management objectives in the
State of Hawaii, if funds remain after implementing the PRIA MCP.
An MCP must be consistent with the Council's fishery ecosystem
plans (FEPs), identify conservation and management objectives
(including criteria for determining when such objectives have been
met), and prioritize planned marine conservation projects. Although no
foreign fishing in the PRIA is being considered at this time, the
Council reviewed and approved the draft MCP for PRIA in June 2017 and
sent the MCP to NMFS for review on July 7, 2017.
The PRIA MCP contains five conservation and management objectives,
consistent with the PRIA and Pelagic FEPs:
1. Support quality research and monitoring to obtain the most
complete scientific information available to assess

[[Page 37576]]

and manage fisheries within an ecosystem approach.
2. Conduct education and outreach to foster good stewardship
principles and broad and direct public participation in the Council's
decision-making process.
3. Promote regional cooperation to manage domestic and
international fisheries.
4. Encourage development of technologies and methods to achieve the
most effective level of monitoring, control, and surveillance, and to
ensure safety at sea.
5. Support Western Pacific community demonstration projects and
Western Pacific Community Development Program to promote participation
and access to fisheries for eligible communities.
In addition, the PRIA MCP contains seven conservation and
management objectives, consistent with the Hawaii FEP:
1. Support quality research and monitoring to obtain the most
complete scientific information available to assess and manage
fisheries within an ecosystem approach.
2. Promote an ecosystem approach to fisheries management including
reducing bycatch in fisheries, minimizing impacts on marine habitats
and protected species, and addressing climate change adaptation and
mitigation.
3. Conduct education and outreach to foster good stewardship
principles and broad and direct public participation in the Council's
decision-making process.
4. Recognize the importance of island cultures and traditional
fishing practices in managing fishery resources and foster
opportunities for participation.
5. Promote responsible domestic fisheries development to provided
long-term economic growth and stability by reducing foreign imports and
increasing local seafood production.
6. Promote regional cooperation and capacity-building to manage
domestic and international fisheries.
7. Encourage development of technologies and methods to achieve the
most effective level of monitoring, control, and surveillance, and to
ensure safety at sea.
Please refer to the MCP for planned projects and activities
designed to meet each conservation and management objective, for the
evaluative criteria, and for the priority rankings.
This notice announces that NMFS has reviewed the MCP for the PRIA,
and has determined that it satisfies the requirements of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. Accordingly, NMFS has approved the MCP for the 3-year
period from August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020. This MCP supersedes
the MCP previously approved for the period August 4, 2014, through
August 3, 2017 (79 FR 44753, August 1, 2014).

Dated: August 8, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16988 Filed 8-10-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Notices 37575

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie arising after publication of this notice SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571– that require emergency action under 204(e) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
4366. Email: Julie.neer@safmc.net. section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf Fishery Conservation and Management (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the
of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Act, provided the public has been Secretary of State, with the concurrence
Caribbean Fishery Management notified of the intent to take final action of the Secretary of Commerce
Councils, in conjunction with NOAA to address the emergency. (Secretary), and at the request and in
Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf consultation with the Council, to
Special Accommodations
States Marine Fisheries Commissions negotiate and enter into a Pacific Insular
have implemented the Southeast Data, These meetings are physically Area fishery agreement (PIAFA). A
Assessment and Review (SEDAR) accessible to people with disabilities. PIAFA would allow foreign fishing
process, a multi-step method for Requests for sign language within the U.S. Exclusive Economic
determining the status of fish stocks in interpretation or other auxiliary aids Zone (EEZ) adjacent to a Pacific Insular
the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multi- should be directed to the Council office Area other than American Samoa,
step process including: (1) Data (see ADDRESSES) at least 2 business days Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands,
Workshop, (2) a series of assessment prior to each workshop. that is, in the EEZ around the Pacific
webinars, and (3) A Review Workshop. Note: The times and sequence specified in Remote Island Areas (PRIA). The PRIA
The product of the Data Workshop is a this agenda are subject to change. are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis
report that compiles and evaluates Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef,
potential datasets and recommends Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Midway Island, Wake Island, and
which datasets are appropriate for Dated: August 7, 2017. Palmyra Atoll. Before entering into a
assessment analyses. The assessment Tracey L. Thompson, PIAFA for the PRIA, the Council must
webinars produce a report that describes Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
develop and submit to the Secretary a 3-
the fisheries, evaluates the status of the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. year MCP that details the uses for funds
stock, estimates biological benchmarks, [FR Doc. 2017–16933 Filed 8–10–17; 8:45 am]
collected by the Secretary under the
projects future population conditions, PIAFA. NMFS is the designee of the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
and recommends research and Secretary for MCP review and approval.
monitoring needs. The product of the The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
Review Workshop is an Assessment DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE any payments received under a PIAFA,
Summary documenting panel opinions and any funds or contributions received
regarding the strengths and weaknesses National Oceanic and Atmospheric in support of conservation and
of the stock assessment and input data. Administration management objectives for the PRIA
Participants for SEDAR Workshops are MCP, to be deposited into the Western
RIN 0648–XF518
appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund
Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific (Fund) for use by the Council.
Management Councils and NOAA Insular Areas Other Than American Additionally, amounts received by the
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Secretary attributable to fines and
HMS Management Division, and Mariana Islands; Western Pacific penalties imposed under the Magnuson-
Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Sustainable Fisheries Fund Stevens Act for violations by foreign
Participants include data collectors and vessels occurring in the EEZ off the
database managers; stock assessment AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries PRIA are deposited into the Fund for
scientists, biologists, and researchers; Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and use by the Council. Section 204(e)(7)(C)
constituency representatives including Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of the Magnuson-Stevens Act also
fishermen, environmentalists, and Commerce. authorizes the Council to use the Fund
NGO’s; International experts; and staff ACTION: Notice of agency decision. to meet conservation and management
of Councils, Commissions, and state and objectives in the State of Hawaii, if
federal agencies. SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of funds remain after implementing the
The items of discussion during the a Marine Conservation Plan (MCP) for PRIA MCP.
assessment webinar I are as follows: Pacific Insular Areas other than An MCP must be consistent with the
1. Using datasets and initial American Samoa, Guam, and the Council’s fishery ecosystem plans
assessment analysis recommended from Northern Mariana Islands. (FEPs), identify conservation and
the Data Workshop, panelists will DATES: This agency decision is valid management objectives (including
employ assessment models to evaluate from August 4, 2017, through August 3, criteria for determining when such
stock status, estimate population 2020. objectives have been met), and prioritize
benchmarks and management criteria, ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of planned marine conservation projects.
and project future conditions. the MCP, identified by NOAA–NMFS– Although no foreign fishing in the PRIA
2. Participants will recommend the 2017–0077, from the Federal e- is being considered at this time, the
most appropriate methods and Rulemaking Portal, http:// Council reviewed and approved the
configurations for determining stock www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= draft MCP for PRIA in June 2017 and
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0077, or from the sent the MCP to NMFS for review on
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

status and estimating population
parameters. Western Pacific Fishery Management July 7, 2017.
Although non-emergency issues not Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., The PRIA MCP contains five
contained in this agenda may come Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel conservation and management
before this group for discussion, those 808–522–8220, www.wpcouncil.org. objectives, consistent with the PRIA and
issues may not be the subject of formal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pelagic FEPs:
action during this meeting. Action will Melanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries, 1. Support quality research and
be restricted to those issues specifically NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, monitoring to obtain the most complete
identified in this notice and any issues 808–725–5171. scientific information available to assess

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37576 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2017 / Notices

and manage fisheries within an This MCP supersedes the MCP are in great demand. The USPTO is in
ecosystem approach. previously approved for the period direct competition with private industry
2. Conduct education and outreach to August 4, 2014, through August 3, 2017 for the same caliber of candidates with
foster good stewardship principles and (79 FR 44753, August 1, 2014). the requisite knowledge and skills to
broad and direct public participation in Dated: August 8, 2017. perform patent examination work. The
the Council’s decision-making process. use of automated online systems during
Emily H. Menashes,
3. Promote regional cooperation to recruitment allows the USPTO to
manage domestic and international Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
remain competitive, meet hiring goals,
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
fisheries. and fulfill the agency’s Congressional
4. Encourage development of [FR Doc. 2017–16988 Filed 8–10–17; 8:45 am]
commitment to reduce the pendency
technologies and methods to achieve the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
rate for the examination of patent
most effective level of monitoring, applications.
control, and surveillance, and to ensure The USPTO uses the Monster Hiring
safety at sea. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Management (MHM) system to rapidly
5. Support Western Pacific review applications for employment of
United States Patent and Trademark
community demonstration projects and entry-level patent examiners. Using
Office
Western Pacific Community MHM saves time by eliminating paper
Development Program to promote Patent Examiner Employment applications; reducing by several weeks
participation and access to fisheries for Application the time Office of Human Resources
eligible communities. staff need to spend processing and
In addition, the PRIA MCP contains ACTION: Proposed extension of an reviewing applications. Given the time
seven conservation and management existing information collection; sensitive hiring needs of the Patent
objectives, consistent with the Hawaii comment request. Examining Corps, the MHM system
FEP: provides increased speed and accuracy
1. Support quality research and SUMMARY: The United States Patent and during the employment process.
monitoring to obtain the most complete Trademark Office (USPTO), as required The MHM online application collects
scientific information available to assess by the Paperwork Reduction Act of supplemental information to an
and manage fisheries within an 1995, invites comments on a proposed candidate’s USAjobs application. This
ecosystem approach. extension of an existing information information assists the Human Resource
2. Promote an ecosystem approach to collection: 0651–0042 (Patent Examiner Specialists and hiring managers in
fisheries management including Employment Application). determining whether an applicant
reducing bycatch in fisheries, DATES: Written comments must be possesses the basic qualification
minimizing impacts on marine habitats submitted on or before October 10, requirements for the patent examiner
and protected species, and addressing 2017. position. From the information
climate change adaptation and collected, the MHM system creates an
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
mitigation. electronic real-time candidate inventory
by any of the following methods:
3. Conduct education and outreach to on applicants’ expertise and technical
• Email: InformationCollection@
foster good stewardship principles and knowledge, which allows the USPTO to
uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0042
broad and direct public participation in instantaneously review applications
comment’’ in the subject line of the
the Council’s decision-making process. from multiple potential applicants.
4. Recognize the importance of island message.
• Federal Rulemaking Portal: http:// The use of the MHM online
cultures and traditional fishing practices application fully complies with 5 U.S.C.
www.regulations.gov.
in managing fishery resources and foster 2301, which requires adequate public
• Mail: Marcie Lovett, Records and
opportunities for participation. notice to assure open competition by
5. Promote responsible domestic Information Governance Division
Director, Office of the Chief Technology guaranteeing that necessary
fisheries development to provided long- employment information will be
term economic growth and stability by Officer, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, accessible and available to the public on
reducing foreign imports and increasing inquiry. It is also fully compliant with
local seafood production. Alexandria, VA 22313–1450.
Section 508 (29 U.S.C. 794(d)), which
6. Promote regional cooperation and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
requires agencies to provide disabled
capacity-building to manage domestic Request for additional information
employees and members of the public
and international fisheries. should be directed to LaRita Jones, Chief
access to information that is comparable
7. Encourage development of of the Workforce Employment Division,
to the access available to others.
technologies and methods to achieve the Office of Human Resources, United
most effective level of monitoring, States Patent and Trademark Office, II. Method of Collection
control, and surveillance, and to ensure P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313– With the use of MHM, the applicant’s
safety at sea. 145; by telephone at 571–272–6196; or information is collected electronically
Please refer to the MCP for planned by email to larita.jones@upsto.gov with from the application. The USAJobs.gov
projects and activities designed to meet ‘‘0651–0042 comment’’ in the subject Web site provides the online job
each conservation and management line. Additional information about this announcement that links the applicant
collection is also available at http://
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES

objective, for the evaluative criteria, and to the application and the MHM system.
for the priority rankings. www.reginfo.gov under ‘‘Information The application is completed online and
This notice announces that NMFS has Collection Review.’’ then transmitted to the USPTO via the
reviewed the MCP for the PRIA, and has SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Internet.
determined that it satisfies the
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens I. Abstract III. Data
Act. Accordingly, NMFS has approved In the current employment OMB Control Number: 0651–0042.
the MCP for the 3-year period from environment, information technology IC Instruments and Forms: There are
August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020. professionals and engineering graduates no forms associated with this collection.

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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:47:03
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:47:03

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of agency decision.
Dates		This agency decision is valid from August 4, 2017, through August 3, 2020.
Contact		Melanie Brown, Sustainable Fisheries, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-725-5171.
FR Citation		82 FR 37575
RIN Number		0648-XF51

82 FR 37575 - Marine Conservation Plan for Pacific Insular Areas Other Than American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; Western Pacific Sustainable Fisheries Fund

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 154 (August 11, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration